We've all been there: rushing into the store after work with the sole intention of grabbing some bits for dinner. But wait, what's that? A tube of Pringles on offer? A cheeky chicken wrap for the drive home? A bottle of Lucozade Sport to boost your energy levels for the evening ahead? Yep, we're all guilty of spending way too much money at the supermarket. Recent research proves this, too. According to VoucherCodes.co.uk, 88% of Brits have admitted to making an impulse purchase at least once a month. This equates to £3.41bn every four weeks and £40.91bn per year nationwide. While clearly retailers are doing something right, such incessant spending is having the opposite effect on our wallets (Picture: Getty Images)

So, to help you save money (hey! Get out of the ASDA home section and put those Yankee candles down - you do not need them) we've compiled a list of 8 common mistakes you're making when food shopping. From ditching convenience buying to making a list, hopefully you'll have a little more disposable income at the end of the month to spend on things you really need. Holiday, anyone? (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Not seeking out the best own-brand versions

In Britain, we have this ingrained idea that branded items - which are typically more expensive than own-brand products - mean better quality. However, this is not the case. With budget shops like Lidl and Aldi constantly being named the cheapest supermarkets in polls year after year, shoppers not only have access to cheaper own-brand items, but comfort in the knowledge that these products are just as healthy. Take Aldi's grass-fed butter containing vitamins, beta carotene, and omega-3s, or its Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil which meets the standards of the North American Olive Oil Association, and its 100% whole wheat bread. You're telling me that's better than a processed Warburton's white loaf? The bottom line? If you're looking to save money, go for the best products in a supermarket's own-brands range. Couple that with shopping at budget supermarkets and you're onto a winner (Picture: Aldi)

2. Convenience shopping

There are myriad reasons why convenience shopping can be problematic. But in money terms, it'll cost you more, as it often leads to impulse buying and overspending. Convenience shopping in your local convenience store (whether a Sainsbury's Local or a corner shop) can be even worse for your wallet, as prices for household staples are notoriously higher than in traditional supermarkets. In 2024, the BBC reported that 'products in UK convenience stores can be up to 21% more expensive than the same items purchased in larger supermarkets.' The average price difference for everyday items was around 10% (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Shopping when you're hungry

If you're peckish and go into a shop, you just know you'll leave with something you didn't plan on buying. Remember those Pringles from earlier? To avoid these extra expenditures (a quid here and a quid there all adds up over the month), simply do your shopping when you're not hungry. Or, to prevent the temptation of snacking at all, do your food shopping online. (It'll also help you adopt healthier dietary habits, as often 'grab and go' foods are ultra-processed) (Picture: Amazon Fresh)

4. Overbuying in bulk when not needed

This can happen when you're physically in the store and when shopping online. It's just as easy to pick up two loaves of bread at the shop as it is to add them to your basket. There are multiple ways overbuying in bulk can negatively impact your funds. Firstly, if you can't freeze the items, they might end up going off and need throwing away. That's a waste of money and food. Secondly, prices can fluctuate. While it might make sense financially to buy bulk at the time, prices can fall. This means you'll be using more expensive items when cheaper ones are available on the shelves. Finally, the large quantity of a product can create pressure to use it up quickly. This leads to overconsumption, and having to spend more on the items again in the future (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Failing to check for sales

Beware: do not get too excited by the yellow stickers in your local supermarket. Though the prices on random food items are slashed dramatically, a lot of the time, the products you throw in your trolley are not even on your shopping list - another point we'll get round to in a sec. However, it's always good to look for the best deals on the items you do need. Spending a little extra time searching through the discount sections can save you money in the long run (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Not having a list

The simple logic is this: not having a shopping list can lead to spending more money while shopping. A lack of structure increases the chances of impulse purchases and unplanned buying, as well as spending longer in the supermarket browsing the aisles. We've told you before, you do not need those Pringles - you've already got two tubes in the cupboard at home. Jokes aside, pre-selecting items helps you consider their costs, and make an informed decision about whether your budget can afford them (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Impulsively grabbing items near the checkout

So you've sauntered around the supermarket absent-mindedly throwing unnecessary snacks, clothes and homeware into your basket. You're now at the checkout and there are more things on offer. A box of chewing gum for a quid to add to the collection in the car? Go on then. A pack of wine gums for the journey home reduced to 99p? Might as well. (We're looking at every single dad on the planet for that one.) Product placement is the oldest trick in the book, and while we're completely aware of its intentions, we still can't help ourselves. In 2022, a YouGov survey found roughly a third of global consumers find product placement effective (Picture: Getty Images)

8. Not comparing prices across stores

Before you go shopping, take out your shopping list and research the cost of the items across multiple different supermarkets and then add up the price overall. You may find that certain stores have significantly lower prices for the majority of things you need. For context, Which? found that Aldi was the cheapest UK supermarket in January 2025, charging £185.83 on average for 100 branded and own-label groceries. In second place was Lidl, coming in at £186.59 for those with a Lidl Plus app and £186.62 for those without. In third place was ASDA, with a shopping cost of £204.90. As for the most expensive? Surprise surprise, Waitrose took that crown at £242.91. That's more than £50 difference between the two extremes. So, if you live near any of these supermarkets, make them a priority over the more expensive ones! Happy saving! (Picture: Getty Images)